Artists' Biographies
Featuring the lives behind the art, these biographies highlight the voices and practices of artists who have shaped modern and contemporary art in the SWANA region. Through concise, research-driven portraits, each entry offers key insights into the artist’s life and practice, enriching the understanding of the region’s evolving artistic landscape.
Showing 4 of 135 biographies
Bibi Zogbé
Read this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry about “the painter of the soul of plants” Lebanese artist Bibi Zogbé.
Elias Zayat
Delve into the life and works of prominent Syrian artist and art restorer Elias Zayat in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Fahrelnissa Zeid
Learn about Fahrelnissa Zeid, a Turkish mid-20th century modernist artist, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara
Learn about Palestinian self-taught artist Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Nancy Adajania
Learn about the curatorial journey of Nancy Adajania and her exhibitions including one that showcased the first-ever mapping the women’s movement in India.
Brahim Alaoui
Find out more about art historian, curator, and artistic director Brahim Alaoui in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Zahra A. Hussein Ali
Discover the work of Zahra A. Hussein Ali, whose research explores comparative literature and visual culture, in this Mathaf Encyclopedia entry.
Anahi Alviso-Marino
Explore the work of multifaceted political scientist Anahi Alviso-Marino, including varied multimedia research-creation contributions.
Notes On Weaving
Read this essay by curator Mouna Mekouar reflecting on how art bridges diverse cultures and redefines itself across different spaces and times.
Saliba Douaihy: Autobiography and Artistic Views
Badr El-Hage, co-founder of Lebanon's Nabu Museum, tells of his conversations with the late, and extraordinary, Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy in this retelling.
Ahmed Cherkaoui: Decode his Memory
Explore this essay by researcher, museum director and juror Brahim Alaoui about the life, work and genius of Moroccan painter Ahmed Cherkaoui.